The agreement, signed at the Vice Chancellor's Boardroom, brings together Makerere University's academic expertise and research capacity with the practical experience of one of Uganda's growing food processing companies. The partnership is expected to create opportunities for collaborative research, student internships, industrial training, knowledge exchange and innovation, while contributing to national development.
On 21st July, 2026, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Psalms Food Industries Ltd, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry through research, innovation, entrepreneurship and experiential learning.
From the Left: Prof. Sarah Ssali, Dr. Denis Ngabirano and Ms. Maureen Ngabirano after the MOU signing
The agreement, signed at the Vice Chancellor's Boardroom, brings together Makerere University's academic expertise and research capacity with the practical experience of one of Uganda's growing food processing companies. The partnership is expected to create opportunities for collaborative research, student internships, industrial training, knowledge exchange and innovation, while contributing to national development.
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Evelyn Nabwire Ssali, described Makerere as a leading research-led institution that values partnerships as catalysts for societal transformation. She noted that the University has established over 1,000 Memoranda of Understanding with partners across different sectors, creating platforms for research, innovation and knowledge exchange globally.
Prof. Sarah Ssali giving her welcome remarks during the ceremony
Prof. Sarah Ssali emphasized that youth unemployment remains one of Uganda's greatest challenges and called for universities to move beyond preparing graduates solely for salaried employment. Instead, she underscored the importance of nurturing entrepreneurs, innovators and problem-solvers capable of creating jobs and addressing society's pressing challenges.
She welcomed the partnership with Psalms Food Industries as an opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice by providing students with internships, industrial training and practical work experience that complements their academic studies.
“I was impressed by the scale of Psalms Food Industries and the immense potential it presents to nurture our students beyond the classroom. This partnership opens pathways for practical learning, entrepreneurship and innovation across disciplines from food science and agriculture to environmental sciences and business, preparing graduates to create solutions that transform communities.” Prof. Sarah Ssali noted.
Reflecting on the broader significance of university-industry collaboration, Prof. Sarah Ssali observed that research partnerships should not merely produce academic outputs, but generate measurable impact. She challenged institutions to develop innovations informed by local realities while remaining globally competitive, noting that universities have a responsibility to serve their communities through knowledge that transforms lives.
A group photo of representatives from Psalms Food Industries Ltd and Makerere University.
Speaking on behalf of Psalms Food Industries, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dennis Ngabirano thanked Makerere University for its swift coordination in formalizing the partnership and expressed confidence that the collaboration would generate lasting value for both institutions. He acknowledged the University's contribution to the company's growth journey and reaffirmed Psalms Food Industries Ltd’s commitment to investing in young people's potential.
Dr. Ngabirano noted that Psalms Food Industries has already been working with Makerere students through internship and practical training opportunities, demonstrating the value of exposing learners to real-world industry environments. He encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and research while at school, explaining that SUMZ itself is a product of a course work assignment while he was a University.
“Do not fear starting small,” he urged, emphasizing that today's small enterprises have the potential to become tomorrow's globally recognized companies that create employment and transform communities. He further observed that Makerere's research capacity, infrastructure and expertise present immense opportunities for industry to develop innovative products, anticipate market trends and strengthen Uganda's competitiveness.
During the discussions, the CEO, Psalms Food Industries Ltd also proposed becoming one of Makerere University's official industry partners in the food processing and snack manufacturing sector, further deepening collaboration between the two institutions.
Dr. Denic Ngabirano addressing the media during the ceremony
The partnership was warmly welcomed by representatives from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), who expressed interest in collaborating with Psalms Food Industries in agricultural research, value addition, innovation and practical student training. Present at the meeting also, were representatives from the College of Business and Management (COBAMS), the Advancedment Office and Makerere University Technology and Innovationds Centre (MUTIC).
While chairing the ceremony, Ms. Hawa Kajumba, the lead Partnerships, Advancement Office noted that At Makerere University, our strategic focus revolves heavily on breaking down the traditional silos between classroom theory and real-world industrial needs. Signing this MoU with Psalms Food Industries is a definitive step toward achieving that ecosystem.
“By aligning our research with a homegrown manufacturer, we are creating a powerful mutually beneficial model for local value addition while simultaneously opening impact pathways for our students.” Ms Hawa affirmed.
From the left: Ms. Hawa Kajumba, Lead Partnerships, Advancement Office and Mrs. Maureen Ngabirano, ED, Psalms Food Industries Ltd.
The MoU represents a shared commitment to strengthening the innovation ecosystem by connecting research with enterprise, equipping students with industry-relevant skills and fostering entrepreneurship that responds to Uganda's development needs.
Through collaborative research, internships, mentorship, product development and commercialization, Makerere University and Psalms Food Industries Ltd aim to demonstrate how strong industry-academia partnerships can accelerate economic transformation while producing graduates equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
